Traffic stop, cops turns out to be an idiot.

[Jim Bremner]

Originally Posted by 450knotOffice

I've been pulled over maybe 10 times in my whole life. and maybe 3 in the last twenty years. Every officer I have dealt with has been, at the very least, courteous and professional, and in most cases, outwardly friendly. I have usually gotten the ticket, but in a few cases I have been let off with a word of caution to just slow down.

Maybe I'm lucky, but I've never had that bad experience some of you folks have described.

1.2 MILLION miles driven over 20 years. Four speeding tickets. 2 last year. any time that I'm pulled over by the CHP I get a ticket all four of the "cops" have come off like I was John Dillinger! Oh I forgot once I did get pulled over for pulling a trailer in the wrong lane. I had 6 LAPD business cards folded into my registration. The weasel dick CHP officer wanted to rip my head off for that one! At 5:45 AM he took my cell phone and matched up a name off of my contacts and CALLED the officer!


City cops and LASD have ALWAYS have been professional

[red-beard]

I've had mixed bag results over the years. Recently, most stops have been professional around the Houston area.

However, I was stopped in Fort Stockton Texas by State DPS about 7 years ago. He flipped car around in the median and flipped on the lights. I thought he had to be after someone, bad. I kept driving, like no problem, because I wasn't speeding. Because, you do not speed in Fort Stockton. It is nothing but a speed trap.

Eventually I understand he wants me to pull over, I've been in the right hand lane the whole time. He first gives me crap for not pulling over. Then he makes me stand behind my car in 25-30 weather without a jacket for 10 minutes. He hassled us as to where we had been (Mexico) and why I was speeding (I wasn't). Finally he starts talking to my wife in Spanish and lets us go. "Don't let him speed!" or something close.

The only thing I can think of is he saw me pass around a vehicle that was exiting, which had slowed to like 35 mph. I was going 55. Maybe it looked like I was blowing past him. But again, knowing that Fort Stockton is a speed-trap, we always drive exactly the speed limit.

[Tobra]

I can't help but respond to the, "Do you know why I pulled you over?" question with, "Don't you know?"

I realize that the majority of LEOs are professional folks that do a good job. Why is it that the majority of them that actually interact with the public seem to belie this fact? I guess because you only hear the bad stories, not the good ones. I have been pulled over a few times, speeding for the most part. About 50:50 professional and not so much officers has been my experience. Most recently, had a guy ran a stops sign, hit me and fled the scene. A bystander chased him and forced him to the side of the road, so he came back. He admitted he was going ten over when he ran the stop sign and gave the CHP guy there a story that was not constent with reality, clearly so. Guy who hit me appeared to be impaired, due to age, drug or drink, I could not tell you. They did not do a sobriety check on him at all, did not cite him and let him go. The police report was not terribly close to what happened, but there really is nothing you can do about it.


For the most part, I think they should take the "Serve and Protect" signs off the sides of the car for false advertising.

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by Tobra

For the most part, I think they should take the "Serve and Protect" signs off the sides of the car for false advertising.

Have you seen the ones in W. Hollywood with the rainbow decal around those words? Not joking.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by Hugo930

1. I got stopped by a sheriff yesterday and the traffic stop didn't go well.

2 ...........6 miles over the speed limit was my offense.

3 ....................He then doesn't give me a ticket and tells me to slow down.

4 .......I called my lawyer because I wanted to escalate it up

1a. Your definition of not going well differs from mine, no ticket is always good.

2a. You were speeding, and over 5 mph to boot.

3a. Always good advice, slow down.

4a. Sounds like you were looking for trouble, and now you are willing to pay maybe $175 for that phone call? Must be nice to be able to piss money away like that.

Some people I just don't understand.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by Jim Bremner

1.2 MILLION miles driven over 20 years. Four speeding tickets. 2 last year. any time that I'm pulled over by the CHP I get a ticket all four of the "cops" have come off like I was John Dillinger! Oh I forgot once I did get pulled over for pulling a trailer in the wrong lane. I had 6 LAPD business cards folded into my registration. The weasel dick CHP officer wanted to rip my head off for that one! At 5:45 AM he took my cell phone and matched up a name off of my contacts and CALLED the officer!


City cops and LASD have ALWAYS have been professional

He can't take your cell phone.

But business cards in your papers is not smart. There's a time and place for everything.

It seems to be SOP for an officer to ask you why you think you are being stopped. The best answer is not "no." The best answer is a deflection like you thought it was maybe for a brake light. Always reply with, "Oh, is one of my lights not working?" Or something of that nature. Do not fall into the trap.

[Danimal16]

Originally Posted by 450knotOffice

I've been pulled over maybe 10 times in my whole life. and maybe 3 in the last twenty years. Every officer I have dealt with has been, at the very least, courteous and professional, and in most cases, outwardly friendly. I have usually gotten the ticket, but in a few cases I have been let off with a word of caution to just slow down.

Maybe I'm lucky, but I've never had that bad experience some of you folks have described.

Same here. Sure I get frustrated when I have to pay, but it kinda goes with a quick little car that wants to get up and go. I just got a fix it ticket from and Deputy when he could have really handed me a big speeding ticket, ten mph over the speed limit. I felt like a dope cause I knew I was on the fast side, but not unsafe. He changed his mind after we talked, actually a very nice guy. In the end, though I have to put the front plate on, he actually made my day.

I may not work out that way next time, but there really is nothing else to do, but be kind. Now if the guy is an pill, well you are pretty much his to do what he pleases, but maybe your restraint may help him snap out of a bad day. Who knows?

[Laneco]

I've been pulled over probably ten times in all the years of driving. Pretty much deserved it every single time. Only gotten two tickets in my life. Pled guilty to both and paid them because I was guilty.

I have a consistent habit of being polite when I am pulled over keeping both hands on the wheel, and answering questions verbally in English when addressed by an English speaking officer.

Hugo? Save the non-verbal cues for another time. They are easily taken out of context and have different meanings depending on your geographical area. For example, nodding "no" as you've described is interpreted as LYING out here because a vertical motion means affirmative and a side to side motion means negative. The mix of an affirmative and negative in any combination of verbal/nonverbal cues means you are LYING. I realize that was certainly not your intent, but that is likely what was perceived.

So - suggestion? Just answer the question with a clear, calm verbal "No".

angela

[red-beard]

Wait, isn't Hugo a Lawyer?

[LakeCleElum]

Originally Posted by red-beard

Wait, isn't Hugo a Lawyer?

Hugo - You have the right to remain Silent....Thank you.....

[MMARSH]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

Have you seen the ones in W. Hollywood with the rainbow decal around those words? Not joking.

Not true.... West Hollywood is patrolled by the LA County Sheriffs Department. They don't have " To serve and protect" on their radio cars.....They do have a rainbow decal though.

[MMARSH]

Originally Posted by Zeke

He can't take your cell phone.

But business cards in your papers is not smart. There's a time and place for everything.

It seems to be SOP for an officer to ask you why you think you are being stopped. The best answer is not "no." The best answer is a deflection like you thought it was maybe for a brake light. Always reply with, "Oh, is one of my lights not working?" Or something of that nature. Do not fall into the trap.

Seriously, it really isn't gonna matter what you say. If he's gonna write the ticket, he's gonna write it. Once you go to court, he's going to lie about the stop anyway....

[john70t]

You got pulled over, initiated some minor psychological bs, and didn't get a ticket?
"Thank you officer. Have a nice day."

(leave)

The officer could have been in a chase earlier, or a fatal crash scene, had no sleep because of family problems, or just tired from sitting and driving around in 100deg heat all day. They are usually normal people trying to do their jobs.